The only surprise on the night was that it took Rovers 13 minutes to get on the score sheet as good work on the right by Tom Rideout saw the Odd Down keeper spill the cross under pressure leaving skipper, Ben Lacey, the easiest of tap ins.

The lead was doubled 3 minutes later as a ball down the left saw Dan Flower’s strength take him past his marker before sliding the ball home past the advancing keeper. Sam Morgan had the ball in the net moments later after a good passing move but had his effort disallowed for offside and Brad Allen headed over the bar from a left wing corner before the hosts finally added a third on 24 minutes as a long clearance downfield saw Lacey race through to round the keeper and slot the ball into the empty net.

Flower then saw his shot headed off the line before on 25 minutes Rob Banfield grabbed the 4th after the keeper again failed to hold the ball. Sam Morgan did get his deserved goal a minute later with a fine 20 yard shot. Rovers went into the break 6 goals to the good as with 5 minutes of the first half remaining good work by Lacey set up Flower for his second.

It took Rovers just 6 minutes after the restart to add a 7th as Lacey’s first effort was blocked only for the ball to drop 10 yards to Rideout who fired the ball home. Jamie Rothwell got the 8th on 68 minutes but the honour of the best goal of the night went to Dex Neil as his 75th minute drive from 25 yards struck the underside of the bar and just crossed the line.

Lacey brought up double figures on 81 minutes as again his pace took him clear for another cool finish. The visitors were a very young side in their first season and deserve great credit for never giving up and in the final few minutes they had their best chances of the night as first Phil Smale was forced to make his only save of the game and then they shot over the bar when well placed. As it was Rovers struck again right on the final minute and inevitably it was Lacey again who raced clear and provided the finish.

This result takes Dave Neil’s boys top of the League and their next fixture in the competition sees the visit of Portishead Town to Winterfield Road on Wednesday 17th of December.

Team; Smale, Neil, Hailstone, Evans, Lidford, Allen, Flower, Banfield, Lacey (C), Morgan, Rideout.
Subs; Parnell, Rothwell, Rideout, Mills, Whittock.